Camp Lejeune Lawsuit

What Is the Camp Lejeune Water Contamination Lawsuit About?

A Camp Lejeune lawsuit allows those affected by the contaminated water at U.S. Marine Corps Camp Lejeune to pursue compensation for their injuries.

Water on the military base was contaminated with harmful substances known as volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from 1953 to 1987, posing a health risk for service members and civilians who lived or worked there.

The contaminated water has since been linked to dozens of serious health problems, including cancer and birth defects.

Those harmed by the tainted water may be able to file a Camp Lejeune lawsuit and get the justice they deserve. However, Camp Lejeune victims must act quickly before their window of opportunity closes.

Deadline to File a Camp Lejeune Water Lawsuit

In August 2022, the U.S. government passed the Camp Lejeune Justice Act, making it possible for victims of the contaminated water to file a lawsuit and seek compensation for their injuries. However, the new law gave victims 2 years to take legal action.

If you miss this deadline, you’ll forfeit your right to pursue compensation for your health issues related to the contaminated water.

Key Facts About the Camp Lejeune Lawsuits

• As of May 2024, over 1,740 Camp Lejeune water contamination lawsuits have been filed in federal court in the Eastern District of North Carolina.
• The government estimates that it will pay out $21 billion in Camp Lejeune claims.
• Filing a Camp Lejeune lawsuit will not impact a veteran’s ability to collect disability benefits from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).
• Family members may be able to file a Camp Lejeune wrongful death lawsuit on a loved one’s behalf, even if they passed away decades ago.

2024 Update: Latest News on Camp Lejeune Water Contamination Lawsuit

It’s been over a year since the Camp Lejeune Justice Act was passed, and thousands of victims have taken legal action in pursuit of justice.

Learn about recent news related to Camp Lejeune litigation.

May 2024: The government has sent settlement payouts totaling $9.6 million to Camp Lejeune victims.

December 2023: A federal judge in North Carolina ruled that the U.S. government was not required to provide a draft of a study about cancer rates connected to the military base to lawyers representing Camp Lejeune families.

Earlier in the month, the families’ lawyers took legal action to fight the government’s bid to ban jury trials in Camp Lejeune lawsuits. They maintain that the Camp Lejeune Justice Act guarantees victims the right to a jury trial.

November 2023: The first Camp Lejeune settlements awarded a total of $1 million to four victims through the Department of Justice’s Elective Option.

October 2023: Over 1,000 Camp Lejeune water contamination lawsuits and more than 117,000 administrative claims have been filed. Thousands of additional lawsuits are expected to be filed before the August 2024 deadline.

September 2023: The U.S. Department of the Navy and Department of Justice announced an Elective Option providing expedited payouts to those who have filed Camp Lejeune claims. The tiered system allocates payments ranging from $100,000 to $550,000, depending on how much time a victim spent on base and the type of illness they developed.

Who Qualifies for the Camp Lejeune Lawsuit?

You may be able to file a Camp Lejeune lawsuit if you or a loved one:

• Lived or worked on base for a minimum of 30 days from August 1, 1953, to December 31, 1987
• Have a health condition connected to the contaminated water

Even if you or your loved one were exposed to the Camp Lejeune water decades ago, you may still be entitled to compensation for the health effects of the toxic water under the Camp Lejeune Justice Act.

Health Conditions Linked to Camp Lejeune Contaminated Water

From 1953 to 1987, those who lived or worked at Camp Lejeune were likely exposed to toxins in the water supply. Tragically, these chemicals put innocent people at risk of serious health conditions.

Health issues that may qualify for a Camp Lejeune lawsuit include:

• Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)
• Aplastic anemia
• Birth defects
• Bladder cancer
• Brain cancer
• Breast cancer
• Cardiac defects
• Cervical cancer
• Colorectal cancer
• Crohn’s disease
• Esophageal cancer
• Fatty liver disease (hepatic steatosis)
• Female infertility
• Heart disease
• Kidney cancer
• Liver cancer
• Lung cancer
• Lymphomas
• Miscarriage
• Multiple myeloma and other myelodysplastic syndromes
• Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma
• Pancreatic cancer
• Parkinson’s disease
• Prostate cancer
• Rectal cancer
• Renal toxicity
• Sarcoma
• Scleroderma (Crest syndrome)

This is not a complete list, as the contaminated water could have caused other health problems that qualify for compensation.

Filing Process for Camp Lejeune Water Lawsuits

Camp Lejeune lawyers do everything in their power to make filing a Camp Lejeune lawsuit as easy and stress-free as possible for families. With an attorney handling all of the legal legwork, you’ll be able to focus on your health and family.

These basic steps show how a lawyer will typically handle a Camp Lejeune water contamination lawsuit on your behalf if you have a case.

1. Provide a Free Case Review

A case manager will answer your questions and explain your rights under the Camp Lejeune Justice Act. If you qualify, they will connect you with a lawyer, who will review the facts of your case and determine whether you’re eligible to file a Camp Lejeune lawsuit and pursue compensation.

2. Collect Evidence

Your attorney will work with investigators, experts, and other legal professionals to gather information related to your illness and time spent at Camp Lejeune.

This may include:

• Base housing records
• Medical records
• Military orders

This information will be used to establish that you lived at Camp Lejeune for at least 30 days from August 1, 1953, to December 31, 1987, and have a qualifying health condition.

3. File Your Camp Lejeune Lawsuit

First, your lawyer will file your Camp Lejeune claim with the Navy for its review. The Navy will determine if you qualify for an Elective Option and may offer you a specific payout based on how much time you spent on base and the type of health condition you have.

If you don’t qualify for or decide not to accept an Elective Option payout, your lawyer will file a Camp Lejeune lawsuit on your behalf.

A Camp Lejeune water contamination lawsuit may award more compensation than an Elective Option payment. Your lawyer will explain your options and the advantages of each, and you can decide on the route that makes the most sense for you and your family.

4. Negotiate a Settlement

Next, your lawyer will try to negotiate a Camp Lejeune settlement with the federal government. They’ll take into consideration your medical bills, pain and suffering, lost wages, and more when calculating your damages in an effort to get you the most compensation possible.

If a settlement can’t be reached, your legal team will be prepared to go to trial and fight for a Camp Lejeune verdict on behalf of your family.

Camp Lejeune Lawsuit Settlement Amounts

Camp Lejeune lawsuit settlement values will vary based on the specifics of each case. However, many legal experts estimate settlements could be worth $1 million or more.

Factors likely to affect Camp Lejeune settlement amounts include:

• Health condition: Those with more severe health conditions from contaminated water at Camp Lejeune may be able to access larger settlements. These conditions include certain types of cancer, Parkinson’s disease, and serious birth defects.
• Time on base: The longer a victim lived or worked on base, the more compensation they may be awarded in a settlement.
• Wrongful death: Health issues that led to a victim’s death may also result in a larger settlement payment to surviving family members.

Camp Lejeune victims who accept an expedited payout through the Elective Option may be awarded less money than those who fight for a Camp Lejeune lawsuit settlement.

Settlement money can be used to help pay for health care costs, daily living expenses, and more.

A Camp Lejeune lawyer can review the facts of your case and tell you how much it may be worth.

Get Help Filing a Camp Lejeune Lawsuit

No one deserved to get sick from the contaminated drinking water at Camp Lejeune. Workers, veterans, and their families trusted that the water on base was safe, but tragically, that wasn’t the case.

Camp Lejeune victims now have a limited amount of time to file a Camp Lejeune water contamination lawsuit and seek financial compensation for the harm they’ve suffered.

The Camp Lejeune lawyers in our network have already helped over 30,000 families with their Camp Lejeune water contamination claims.

Our legal partners can assist Camp Lejeune victims in all 50 states and they never charge any upfront or hourly fees.